Working on a mark I can't fully disclose, but I wanted to see if I could get some input on a few initial sketches.
This mark is for a central hub that connects a network of online communities for educators. In these various communities, educators are involved with traditional in-school teaching methods as well as online education, and this hub will serve as a central meeting place, whereby educators can connect, access additional resources and information, and share ideas.
The name of this hub contains two words; the first word starts with the letter C; the second word starts with the letter E. Think of the name as describing "unified individuals who educate."
Some themes I wanted to try to explore: education, connectedness, online, social networking, unity, nurturing (for the benefit of students).
Ideally, I want to pursue 3-4 options to render electronically, so I'm trying to whittle down a few of these concepts that might not be as strong as others.
Here's a brief rationale for each option:
01. Thinking of the old school image of a professor in a cap & gown, and using a pointer, this concept arranges two caps opposite each other. The proximity of each tassel to the opposite cap helps bring the forms together into a unit, and combined with the shape of the caps, the resulting unit takes the form of an isometric cube.
02. A network of connected, anthropomorphic Es that collectively form the letter C.
03. Much more abstract, a grid of dots that represents the online communities, and the bigger dots — which also form an E — represent the educators.
04. Concentric circular shapes that connect to form an outer C and an inner E.
05. A book connected to a mouse. Book is designed such that the top view forms a C shape (curved spine on left; curved page ends on right), while the vertically overlapping bookmark combined with horizontal lines of the book cover forms an E shape.
06. This one is more emotional in its approach. Education is not literally represented, nor is an "online network," but when I think of education, I also think of nurturing. When I think of nurturing, I think of enveloping arms that encircle and protect. Here, the left arm forms a C shape, while the negative space formed between both arms forms an E.
Any thoughts?